EAST LANSING — Michigan State football assistant Terrence Samuel had almost an entire receiving corps to improve a year ago at this time after a 2012 season filled with more than 60 dropped passes.

Samuel's to-do list has narrowed considerably, with most receivers improving since that woeful span.

But one name that remains atop Samuel's priority list when it comes to improving receiver play is a key one: Aaron Burbridge.

For the past three seasons, when Burbridge's name has come up, sooner or later someone will remark that he could be the best receiver on the team.

Perhaps he could, but Burbridge hasn't been -- and he's yet to win back the starting position that was essentially handed to him his first two seasons largely because of his great potential.

Burbridge carried the distinction of being Michigan's top-rated high school player when he came out of Harrison High School in Farmington Hills in 2012.

He played at Michigan State as a true freshman, catching 29 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns. Burbridge began last season on the prestigious Biletnikoff Award watch list, his name listed alongside many top receivers who earned All-American honors or are now headed to the NFL.

But a slow start mired with inconsistency, and a hamstring injury later in the season, led to a sophomore slump of sorts. Burbridge caught just 22 passes for 194 yards and no touchdowns.

This, on an offense that was blossoming with Connor Cook at quarterback.

Samuel said he believes Burbridge is motivated to prove last season was a fluke, and the coaching staff still expects him to live up to his great potential.

The expectations came through the front door with Burbridge when he arrived.

"The thing that stands out to be about this class, is they're bringing in Aaron Burbridge, one of the top receivers in the country," national recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong of 247sports said at the time of Burbridge's signing. "And then adding the transfer DeAnthony Arnett from Tennessee gives the Spartans two outstanding playmaking receivers that should play well together down the road."

"This coming year, understanding the offense, feeling comfortable with it, I think he's going to make the plays he needs to make,'' Samuel insists. "When you get to your junior year, you're feeling like, hey, I need to step on the gas if I have any aspirations to do anything next level.''

It makes sense that if Burbridge can't buy into Coach Mark Dantonio's credo of playing for his teammates, he could be motivated by the rewards a professional career could offer him.

Whatever the catalyst, it's clear the clock is running on Burbridge.

"He knows he needs to play well,'' Samuel said. "I know we've talked about those things, and being prepared for this season to make some plays and make an impact.''

The Spartans practice Thursday afternoon and the second spring scrimmage takes place on Saturday.